Posts by Kim Sailer
A Brief Discussion of the History and Future of Mediation in the US
By: Andrew Y. Winston Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator In recent years, mediation has become one of the most frequently utilized process of conflict resolution. However, while its use has not always been so prevalent, it has deep historical roots. Historians believe the origins of mediation date to ancient Mesopotamia (4,500-1900 B.C.E.) in…
Read MoreSo Close, Yet So Far
By: Philip G. Thompson Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator You have been in mediation for several hours representing one of the parties in a hotly contested case. Because we are still dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic (Thanks Delta and Omicron!), chances are this mediation is taking place remotely…
Read MorePhilip G. Thompson Becomes Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator
Philip G. Thompson of MediationWorks has earned the distinction of Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator. This certification allows Thompson to offer arbitration services throughout Florida. Arbitrator Thompson has been a lawyer for over twenty-five years and is an active civil trial lawyer, handling cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. He has tried over seventy cases…
Read MoreGo ahead, Make My Day (By Settling Your Case): Movie Quotes and Mediation “Dont’s”
By: Ira S. Bergman Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator One of my favorite movie lines is from Casablanca,1 considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made. If you haven’t seen it, I urge you find some quiet time this weekend, pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and watch it. You won’t…
Read MoreIs Appearance at Mediation Mandatory?
By: Eric H. Luckman Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator In a recent 3rd DCA opinion (Alvarez v. Citizens, July 21, 2021), the issue before the Court was whether the trial judge exceeded her authority in dismissing a homeowners’ insurance case due to a plaintiff’s failure to appear at a mediation. The lawsuit was…
Read MoreMediator Andrew Y. Winston Joins MediationWorks
MediationWorks is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Andrew Y. Winston to the company as its newest Mediator and Arbitrator. Mediator Winston is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He has been a litigator and trial lawyer in the state of Florida for over 26 years. During that time, he has represented…
Read MoreMediation and Motorcycles: Lessons Learned From Robert Pirsig’s Epic 1970s Literary Road Trip
By: Ira S. Bergman Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator In 1974, Robert Pirsig published his masterclass in philosophy bearing a most unlikely title — Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values. It has been described as a “fictionalized autobiography” in which Pirsig explores (among other things) the “metaphysics of quality”…
Read MoreWatch Mediator Jose G. Rodriguez Accept Justice Labarga Leadership Award
You can listen to MediationWorks Mediator Jose G. Rodriguez as he accepts the Justice Labarga Leadership Award. The event took place last week during the Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association’s annual luncheon.
Read MoreMediator Jose G. Rodriguez Honored With Leadership Award
MediationWorks Mediator Jose G. Rodriguez was awarded the Justice Labarga Leadership Award at the Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association’s Annual Justice Labarga Luncheon at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach County on August 20. The Labarga Award is given once a year to acknowledge a member of the legal community who promotes excellence and…
Read MoreMediator Ira S. Bergman Joins MediationWorks
MediationWorks is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Ira S. Bergman to the company as its newest full-time Mediator and Arbitrator. Mediator Bergman is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He began his legal career almost 30 years ago as a judicial law clerk at the 15th Circuit in West Palm Beach,…
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